2023 Extreme E Copper X‑Prix | 5 talking toints

1. All to play for ahead of Chile

Of the 10 teams that race in Extreme E, five remained in mathematical contention to win the title ahead of the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix. The Acciona Sainz XE Team held the advantage on 139 points, just three ahead of closest challenger and season one champion Rosberg X Racing (RXR).

Top British outfit Veloce Racing were 21 points behind the championship leader ASXE, while Chip Ganassi Racing’s GMC Hummer team and last season’s champion X44 Vida Carbon Racing, owned by Lewis Hamilton, remained outside bets for the title.

2. Advantage Rosberg on Saturday

A third victory of the season for RXR in the opening round of the weekend proved crucial to the final outcome. From the start Ekström’s ASXE entry took the lead with Kristoffersson chasing for RXR, as Veloce’s title hopes ended in anti-climax. After trouble in qualifying, Kevin Hansen found himself stranded on the startline. But although he did eventually manage to get his Odyssey 21 moving, retirement quickly followed.

Up front, Kristoffersson – who has also won his sixth World Rallycross championship in 2023 – made his move as he and Ekström approached the switch zone to hand over to their team-mates for the final two-lap stint. RXR’s Åhlin-Kottulinsky emerged ahead of ASXE’s Laia Sanz and the Swede successfully held off her rival to secure the victory. X44 finished third, but Hamilton’s entry was now out of the hunt to defend its 2022 title. On Sunday, it would now be all down to the Rosberg and Sainz squads to decide the championship.

3. Sanz roll confirms Rosberg’s crown

ASXE’s Ekström and Sanz certainly gave it their best shot in the final race of the 2023 season. As he had on Saturday, Ekström led from the start as a dramatic two-wheeled moment for Kristoffersson immediately put RXR on the back foot. A subsequent puncture forced the Swede to pit early after just one lap to hand over to Åhlin-Kottulinsky.

If ASXE could keep its lead, Sainz’s squad would now be champion. But the Spanish rally legend’s hopes began to unravel in the driver changes. Veloce’s Molly Taylor, determined to make up for her team’s Saturday disappointment, grabbed the lead with Sanz now desperately chasing to keep her dream alive. Meanwhile Åhlin-Kottulinsky was simply struggling to make the finish.

The title was won and lost in the dramatic final minutes of the season. Sanz challenged Taylor for the lead, only to spin – then subsequently rolled her Odyssey out of the race. As Taylor and Veloce claimed their third victory of the season, Åhlin-Kottulinsky limped home more than four minutes down on the race winner but still finished a distant second, thanks to an incident between the McLaren and X44 entries.

McLaren’s Tanner Foust had run into the back of X44’s Fraser McConnell coming into the switch zone, earning a penalty – although that didn’t count for much as the car was soon retired. Cristina Gutiérrez resumed for X44 with damage which delayed her, but she made it to the finish line behind RXR to secure fourth in the championship for her team. 

4. Tributes paid to Kyle LeDuc

It hadn’t exactly gone to plan for Rosberg’s team, but by hook or by crook the job had been completed. Kristofferson had his second Extreme E title in the bag and made a point of paying tribute to Kyle LeDuc among his celebrations. The American off-road specialist, who drove for Chip Ganassi’s squad, died in November at the age of 42.

“After an intense season, winning the Extreme E championship for a second time is incredible,” said Kristoffersson. “ASXE put up an impressive fight this season, and I enjoyed every minute of the battles. I want to dedicate this win to Kyle LeDuc, who sadly passed away recently and who we will miss racing against.”

5. Sweet maiden success for Åhlin-Kottulinsky

First time around in 2021, Kristoffersson had been partnered by Australian Molly Taylor, so RXR’s title was especially sweet for Åhlin-Kottulinsky because it marked her first. She described the achievement as “a dream come true”.

“It was neck and neck all season with ASXE, but I’m just so happy and speechless right now,” she said in the aftermath. “We fought so hard last year and narrowly missed the win, so it was stressful when I saw that we had a puncture in that final race. But as always, we never give up. Despite the challenges, our team’s spirit never waned. This championship is a powerful reminder that with passion and perseverance, anything is achievable.”

For 2016 F1 world champion Rosberg, the success means he once again has the upper hand over old rival Hamilton in their renewed battle now as Extreme E team owners. Their duel will continue in 2024 as the series organisers gear up for a new hydrogen-powered Extreme H series that is planned to launch in 2025.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images